Effect of a Device-Free Compressed Shell Fixation Method on Hepatic Respiratory Movement: Analysis for Respiratory Amplitude of the Liver and Internal Motions of a Fiducial Marker

Purpose

Suppression of respiratory movement of the liver would be desirable for high-precision radiation therapy for liver tumors. We aimed to investigate the effect of our original device-free compressed shell fixation method and breathing instruction on suppression of respiratory movement. The characteristics of liver motion based on the movement of a fiducial marker were also analyzed.

Long-term skeletal stability in the treatment of mandibular prognathism with a physiological positioning strategy

Our aim was to evaluate the long-term skeletal stability of the mandible in 21 patients after orthognathic surgery with physiological positioning. The measurement points SNB, B point (X, Y), Pog (X, Y), and the angle of the ramus were measured on cephalometric photographs to assess skeletal stability preoperatively, immediately after operation, and one and two years postoperatively. In addition, we evaluated the clinical symptoms of disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The analysis of the cephalometric photographs showed that SNB, B point X, and Pog X showed no significant differences among the postoperative time points. On the other hand, B point Y and Pog Y showed no significant differences throughout the study period. We compared the angle of the ramus before operation and two years postoperatively, and no significant difference was found. In addition, no cases showed any pathological symptoms of disorders of the TMJ two years postoperatively. The long-term stability after orthognathic surgery with physiological positioning was confirmed, and it seems to be a reliable orthognathic treatment in patients with mandibular prognathism.     

Infective Endocarditis Due to Treponema pallidum: A Case Diagnosed Using Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of Aortic Valve

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. Syphilitic aortitis might coexist in a dysfunctional aortic valve, but the etiology remains unclear, because microbiological diagnosis is difficult. A 62-year-old man with low-grade fever was diagnosed with aortitis and infective endocarditis, due to Treponema pallidum infection, using polymerase chain reaction analysis. This case suggests that syphilis might cause infective endocarditis.     

Immunogenicity and safety of a fully liquid aluminum phosphate adjuvanted Haemophilus influenzae type b PRP-CRM197-conjugate vaccine in healthy Japanese children: A phase III,randomized, observer-blind,multicenter, parallel-group study

BackgroundBroad use of monovalent Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines based on the capsular polysaccharide polyribosyl-ribitol phosphate (PRP), has significantly reduced invasive Hib disease burden in children worldwide, particularly in children aged <1 year. In Japan, PRP conjugated to tetanus toxoid (PRP-T) vaccine has been widely used since the initiation of public funding programs followed by a routine vaccination designation in 2013.MethodsWe compared the immunogenicity and safety of PRP conjugated to a non-toxic diphtheria toxin mutant (PRP-CRM₁₉₇) vaccine with the PRP-T vaccine when administered subcutaneously to healthy Japanese children in a phase III study. Additionally, we evaluated the immunogenicity and safety profiles of a diphtheria–tetanus acellular pertussis (DTaP) combination vaccine when concomitantly administered with either PRP-CRM₁₉₇ or PRP-T vaccines. The primary endpoint was the “long-term seroprotection rate”, defined as the group proportion with anti-PRP antibody titers ⩾1.0 μg/mL, after the primary series.ResultsLong-term seroprotection rates were 99.3% in the PRP-CRM₁₉₇ group and 95.6% in the PRP-T group. The intergroup difference (PRP-CRM₁₉₇ group – PRP-T group) was 3.7% (95% confidence interval: 0.099–7.336), demonstrating that PRP-CRM₁₉₇ vaccine was non-inferior to PRP-T vaccine (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the “short-term seroprotection rate” (anti-PRP antibody titer ⩾0.15 μg/mL) before booster vaccination was higher in the PRP-CRM₁₉₇ group than in PRP-T. Concomitant administration of PRP-CRM₁₉₇ vaccine with DTaP vaccine showed no differences in terms of immunogenicity compared with concomitant vaccination with PRP-T vaccine and DTaP vaccine. Although CRM₁₉₇ vaccine had higher local reactogenicity, overall, both Hib vaccines had acceptable safety and tolerability profiles.ConclusionThe immunogenicity of PRP-CRM₁₉₇ vaccine administered subcutaneously as a three-dose primary series in children followed by a booster vaccination 1 year after the primary series induced protective levels of Hib antibodies with no safety or tolerability concerns.Clinical trial registry: Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01379846